Bathing sandal



Aug. 19, 1930.

L AUSTER iBATHING SANDAL Filed March 28 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

Aug. 19, 1930. L. AUSTER 1,773,127

BATHING SANDAL Filed March 28, 929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.6.

Fig.7.

gyvuento'c Lama A rm.

Clitozmq Patented Aug. 15?, 1930 hATENT OFFICE LOVES AUSTER, F NEW YORK,It". Y.

BATHING SANDAL Application filed March 28, 1929, Serial No The presentinvention relates to bathing sandals and to a method of manufacturingthe same, and consists in the steps of procedure in making andcombinations and arrangements of elements forming the article ashereinafter described and particularly set forth in the accompanyingclaims.

The type of sandal shown herein is proposed as an improvement ormodification of that style or construction of sandal and meth- 0d ofmanufacturing the same disclosed in my co-pending application for U. S.Patent entitled Bathing sandal and method of producing same, Serial No.300,618, and filed August 20, 1928.

Present known bathing slippers are characterized in that they are madein several pieces united together, as by cementing, in the so-calledcuring process with the result that there is no uniformity in thestrength of the article and consequently the different portions of theslipper frequently come apart due to insecure union along the seams. Toavoid this defect it is here proposed to produce a bathing sandal orslipper in one piece and in a single and unbroken process of moulding.

Present made slippers are furthermore bulky and require individualpacking boxes with the natural result that considerable space is neededfor keeping on hand a reasonable supply or stock on the part of thedealers, and this in turn has resulted in many dealers refusing tocarryaline ofbathing slipers for ready sale to the trade. There is aurther disadvantage in that the present day bathing slippers in additionto being bulky are tending to run in styles, and this obviously furtheraggravates the disadvantage above referred to.

From the standpoint of the wearer the resent known bathing slippers arenot only lieavy in themselves but they collect and retain water aroundthe wearers feet and thereby considerably retard ones progress inswimming. As a consequence of the slippers becoming too heavy they arefrequently forced off while swimming, and lost, and for this reason manybathers prefer to remove the slippers before entering the water.

. 350,542, and in Canada September 22, 1928.

Another objection is that if the slipper be worn for some time while outof the water the wearers feet being entirely encased inv rubber becomeexcessively hot and perspire, thereby causing great discomfort.

To overcome these disadvantages it is proposed to provide a bathingsandal or slipper that is moulded in preferably one piece andconsequently is lighter, cheaper, stronger, and less bulky than the kindnow used. Secondly, to provide a sandal which during wear will permitfree circulation of air to every part of the foot while on land andelfectively shed water when swimming. And thirdly, to pro vide a sandalwhich may be easily put on and removed, readily adjustable to the foot,and neat and attractive in appearance,

A further advantage-and an essential one is to produce a bathing slipperwhich with its foot attaching appendages may be manufactured, shipped,and stored in a substantial lay-flat condition all to the end of economyin cost of production, conservation of space both for the dealer andowner, permitting a -full line of articles being easily carried by a isdealer with the minimum space in his sales room, in like mannerrequiring minimum spacein transportation, and which because of thepersonal advantages aforesaid will commend the article to the wearers.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanyingdrawings,

wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sandal.

Figure 2 a perspective view showing the sandal in its lay-flat conditionas coming from the mould.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the selective application of the sandal tothe foot in the Grecian, Swimmer or Roman styles, 9 respectively. I

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of sandal, and;

Figure 7 a perspective view of this modified construction in itslay-flat condition or as coming from the mould.

Referring to the construction, in further detail andwherein'likereferencer characters designate corresponding parts in vthedifferent views, the sandal consists'of asole portion 9 of suitablepliable material, preferably rubber, and having a heel portion 10. Thesoleand heel portions may be of uniform thickness throughout or the heelportion 10 may be of greater thickness than the sole proper ifpreferred. Suitable means are provided for securely holding the sandalto the foot of the wearer at the toe, instep, and ankle thereof, andsaid attaching devices are preferably formed integral with the sole ofthe sandal as a unitary structure and all in one and the same mouldingoperation.

The toe attaching device comprises a pocket-like ortion 11 havingapertures 12 and 13 at t e sides and extreme front. This construction ofthe toe engaging portion gives in effect the usual crossing toe strapscharacterizing the ordinary household sandal.

A air of instep straps 14 are formed integral and continuous with thesole portion 9 as elearl shown in Figure 2 and the free ends of saidstraps are apertured as at 15 to receive the detachable button 16 foradjustabl holding the straps across the instep of t e wearer. Instead ofthe button member 16 any other suitable form of adjustable securingmeans may be employed. And instead of moulding said instep straps 14 astwo separate members the invention contemplates moulding the same as onecontinuous piece adapted to be severed after the moulding operation aswill be understood.

A heel piece 16 has a bifurcated connection 17 at the extreme end of theheel portion 10 and at its upper end said member 16 has a transverselyextending and continuous member providing a pair of stra s 18 ofsuitable length for encircling the an le of the wearer. Apertures 19 areformed in each of the ankle straps 18 to receive the adjustablefastening means 20 as with the instep strap 14.

In its application to the foot of the wearer the two strap portions 14are adapted to be selectively fastened in either of the positionsillustrated in Figures 3, 4 or 5, accordin ly as the wearer desires tohave the recian, Swimmer or Roman style. And it will be furtherunderstood that both of the strap members 14 may be secured across theinstep of the foot if so desired.

In conformity with the foregoing the Grecian style of sandal is obtainedby havin the two foremost strap portions 14 extend to the toe portion 11where they are secured to the same button 21 or other fastening device.In this instance the other pair of straps are brought across the instepand connected by the button member 16. In the Swimmer style the foremoststraps are connected as in the Grecian style (Figure 3) and the rearmoststraps '14 are connected to the button 22 on the heel strap 16 locatedat the rear of the ankle. In the Roman style the foremost straps 14 passover the .instep and the two rear straps are secured sandal will remainfirmly on the foot with-- out discomfort from perspiration, and due tothe novel form of foot attaching means there is ample ventilationentirely around the foot, and while swimming there is the least possiblehindrance to action inasmuch as there is a complete avoidance of waterpockets but on the other hand effective shedding of water.

It will be understood, of course, that in all places on the sandal orits attaching means where there is an appreciable fold-over or bend inthe material that the moulding ele ment thereat will obviate anyliability oi break or rupture in the texture or body of the rubber orother material.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7. The con struction of sandal is in allessentials the same as above described, except that in this instancethere is only one instep strap instead of the pair of instep straps 14in the other arrangement. It will be understood, of course, that whenthis style of sandal is used the two straps 23 fit about theinstcp ofthe foot in the ordinary way.

In the processes of moulding both the forms of sandal shown the instepstrap portions (14 and are formed in the lay-flat condition asillustrated. That is to say, said instep straps in the process ofmoulding lay within the plane of'the sole and heel portion of thesandal. Also the ankle engaging strap 18 is formed in a lay-flatposition with the heel portions (16 and 17) in the folded overarrangement as indicated in F igures 2 and 7.

It will be understood that the invention as herein disclosed is notlimited to the details of construction shown and described as these maybe varied without departing from the spirit of the invention as definedby the claims.

lVhat is claimed as new is:

1. A sandal comprising a sole portion, a toe as set forth.

tion adapted to engage with said toe and ankle portions, substantiallyas set forth.

4.. A sandal comprising a sole portion, toe and ankle engaging portions,and instep engaging strap members integral with the sole portion adaptedto be connected with said toe and ankle engaging port-ions,substantially as set forth.

5. A sandal comprising a sole portion, toe and ankle engaging portions,and intermedlate strap members integral with the sole portion adapted toengage the instep, or said instep and either the toe or ankle engagingportions, substantially as set forth.

6. A sandal comprising a sole portion, toe and ankle engaging portions,and intermediate strap members integral with the sole portion, saidstraps adapted to selectively engage either the instep only, or thetoevand ankle portions; or the instep and toe portion, or the instep andankle portion, substantially 7. The combination with a sandal having asole portion, and toe and ankle engaging strap portions, of intermediatestrap portions integral with the sole portion and adapted to selectivelyengage either the instep, or said toe and ankle engaging strap portions,substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with a sandal having a sole portion, and toe andankle engaging strap portions, of intermediate strap portions inte gralwith the sole portion and adapted to selectively engage either theinstep, or theinstep and either of the aforesaid engaging portions,substantially as set forth.

9. A bathing sandal constructed of rubber and as a single unitcomprising a sole portion, toe and ankle engaging portions, and instepengaging portions; said instep engaging portions being integral with thesole portion and adapted to connect with either or both the toe andankle engaging portions, substanti ally as set forth.

10. A bathing sandal constructed of rubber and as a single unitcomprising a sole portion, a toe engaging pocket, an ankle strap, and apair of instep engaging straps; said instep straps being integral withthe sole portion and adapted to connect with either or both the toeengaging pocket and the ankle strap, substantially as set forth. v

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at New York city, NewYork, this 22d day of March, A. D. nineteen hundred and twenty-nine.

LOUIS AUSTER.

